The most difficult times for many of us are the ones we give ourselves.

The treasure house within you contains everything, and you are free to use it. You don't need to seek outside.

Anger or hatred is like a fisherman's hook. It is very important for us to ensure that we are not caught by it.

When you note pain, you are not trying to make it go away. You are trying to understand its true nature.

The master's introduction is direct recognition of one's own nature. Meditation is maintaining the continuity of this recognition.

Wisdom arises when you see the true characteristics of phenomena through direct experience.

To forget the self is to be actualized by myriad things.

Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others.

Fear keeps us focused on the past or worried about the future. If we can acknowledge our fear, we can realize that right now we are okay.

Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.

The way to change others' minds is with affection, and not anger.

When you find your place where you are, practice occurs, actualizing the fundamental point.

The greatest achievement is selflessness. The greatest worth is self-mastery.

The path of awakening is not about becoming who we think we should be, but about unbecoming who we are not.

Rather than letting our negativity get the better of us, we could acknowledge that right now we feel like a piece of shit and not be squeamish about taking a good look.

The noting mind and the object noted appear to occur as a pair. Through concentration they are seen to arise and vanish together.

In our struggle for freedom, truth is the only weapon we possess.

The nature of life is change. The nature of change is painful. The nature of pain is temporary.

Freedom is not found in the absence of difficulty, but in our relationship to it.

Sometimes one creates a dynamic impression by saying something, and sometimes one creates as significant an impression by remaining silent.

Enlightenment is like the moon reflected on the water. The moon does not get wet, nor is the water broken.

The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater our own sense of well-being becomes.

The difference between being caught in thoughts and being mindful of thoughts is like the difference between being in a movie and watching a movie.

Zen proposes its solution by directly appealing to facts of personal experience and not to book-knowledge.

Since all things are empty of inherent existence, anything is possible. If things had inherent existence, nothing would be possible.

Whatever precious jewel there is in the heavenly worlds, there is nothing comparable to one who is awakened.

When mindfulness becomes continuous, the distinction between the observer and the observed begins to break down.

Compassion is not mere sentiment but a powerful force that can transform both ourselves and others.

The Noble Eightfold Path is not a path of mere intellectual understanding but a path of practice, of inner transformation.

The truth of suffering is not to be feared but to be understood through direct observation.

The more you suffer the deeper grows your character, and with the deepening of your character you read the more penetratingly into the secrets of life.

The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.

The ocean does not reject any water; therefore it is great. The mountain does not select its stones; therefore it is great.